Electric lamp.



4 "No. 791,152. I Y PATENTED MAY 30, 1905.

R. KI'TGH.

ELECTRIC LAMP. APPLICATION FILED 1613.3. 1904.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

APPLICATION IILBD MAR.3,1904. v

2 SHEETSSHEET 2.

' j ect of the German Emperor, and a resident UNITED STATES Patented May 30, 1905.

PATE T 1 OFFICE.

RICHARD KIlOI-I, OF HANAU, GERMANY, ASSIGNOR TO THE FIRM OF W. C. HERAEUS, OF I-IANAU, GERMANY.

ELECTRIC LAMP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 791,152, dated May 30, 1905.

Application filed March 3, 1904:. 'Serial No. 196,408.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, RICHARD Kr'icH, a subof I-Ianau, Germany, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electric Lamps, of which the following is a specification.

For starting gas or vapor electric lamps comprising mercury electrodes hitherto either special currents of high pressure, such as induction-currents, were employed or the electrodes were brought into contact and again detached by inclining or shaking the lamps. system was necessary, while in the latter case the lamp required to be arranged on a movable frame adapted to be inclined mechanically or by hand, which, however, is inconvenient and unsafe.

My invention relates to improvements in gas or vapor electric lamps of the kind indicated whereby the starting of the same is rendered simple and safe and the main 'object of my invention is to provide such lamps which shall be stationary and in which the necessary starting operations shall be so associated with the means for the connecting of the lamp to the source of supply that a minimum amount of care and labor are required on the art of the operator.

Anci lary objects of my improvement are, first, to so shape the glass vessel as to form a bulb or chamber communicating with the one lamp-tube containing mercury as one electrode; second, to so arran c this chamber that it can be heated to evelop vapor from the mercury for the purpose of forcing upward the column of mercury until it touches the other electrode ,third, to surround the said chamber with a coil and to insert the latter in a lineshunted to the circuit; fourth, to provide a relay in the said shuntline and to so arrange its armature as to short-circuit the shunt-line the moment the two electrodes touch each other and the arc can be formed, and, fifth, .to rovide a switch to cut in and out the shunt-line.

I attain these objects by the arrangements In the former case a complicated illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in Which Figure 1 shows a vapor electric lamp with two mercury electrodes.- Fig. 2 shows the one part of a modified gas or vapor electric lamp containing a mercury electrode. Fig. 3 shows a further modification of this part of the gas or vapor electric lamp; and Fig. 4 shows diagrammatically an arrangement for starting and feeding a vapor electric lamp, the left part of which is represented at Fig. 2.

Similar characters of reference refer to similar arts throughout the several views.

Tdie glass vessel of the vapor electric lamp shown at Fig. 1 comprises a tube 1, a chamber 2 for containing mercury as the one electrode, and a separate chamber 3 according to my invention for containing mercury during transportation, while the mercury contained in the lower part of the tube 1 serves as the other electrode. The chamber 3 should c011- tain ample mercury for filling up the tube 1. This lamp is, as usual, to be connected with the circuit by means of the two poles 4 and 5. As is clearly shown, the chamber 3 communicates at its lower end with the tube 1. This glass vessel is in any known manner pumped out to extract the air before the vessel is closed, so that empty spaces are formed therein above the mercury. When the mercury in the chamber 3 is heated, vapor will be developed in the upper space 6 and force the level of the mercury in the chamber 3 downward, and thereby force the column of mercury in the tube 1 upward until it flows over in the upper chamber 2 and mixes with the mercury contained in the latter. If now the current is circulated in the circuit and the.

mercury in the chamber 3 is again cooled, the

mercury-vaporwill' be condensed and the col-- 1 umn of mercury in the tube 1 will of course fall, whereby the two electrodes are detached and the arc of light is formed.

Fig. 2 shows the left part of a modified gas or vapor electric lamp, which is, for example, illustrated in Fig. 4. In the latter case the glass vessel comprises an inclined tube 7 for the arc-light, a chamber 8 for containing mercury as the positive electrode, a wide tube 9 for containing mercury as the negative electrode, and a separate chamber 10 according to my invention, while the two poles are denoted by 11 and 12. In a similar manner as before the chamber 10 communicates at its lower end with the tube 9. Its effect on being heated will be exactly the same as before.

Fig. 3 shows a further modification of the lamp, the arc-light tube 13 being left open at the lower end and a bulb 14 molten on this tube 13 to form the chamber according to my invention. On heating the bulb 14 the effect of the mercury-vapor developed in the upper space 15 upon the mercury column in the tube 13 will be the same as described above.

These lamps may be shaped and constructed otherwise, the essential point being that a special chamber for containing mercury during transportation and for heating the mercury communicates at its lower end with the one mercury electrode. \Vhere so preferred, the other electrode of the lamp may be of any other kind and consist either of iron or any other metal.

The heating of the special chamber according to my invention may be effected with the aid of a flame or an electrical resistance surrounding the special chamber. In the latter case it is necessary to so arrange the system that the current passing through the resistance be opened the moment the two electrodes are brought into contact with each other. Of course it is desirable that this should be effected automatically.

As is well known, a preliminary heating device is employed in connection with the well-known N ernst incandescent lamp; but for obvious reasons the N ernst devices will be impracticable in connection with such a lamp as forms the subject-matter of the pres ent application. The present invention comprises a heating arrangement, as hereinbefore described, which is specially adapted for use in the latter relation. An example of this arrangement is illustrated at Fig. 4. The pole 11 of the vapor electric lamp is con nected with the positive pole of the source of electricity by means of the line 16 19 and can be disconnected therefrom by a handleswitch '17, adapted to touch either of the two contact-segments 18 and 20. The other pole, 12 of the lamp is connected with the negative pole of the source of electricity by means of a line 21 22 in which a regulating resistance 23 is inserted. The heating-coil 24, surrounding the special chamber 10, is shunted to the circuit, it being connected, on the one hand, with the pole 12 by means of the line 25 and, on the other hand, with the contact-segment by means of a line 26 27, in which the coils 28 28 of a relay 29 are inserted. The armature 30 is connected with the other contact-segment, 18 by means of a line 31 and the post 32 and is adapted to touch, by means of its contact 33, the stationary contact 34 on being attracted.

The system described is operated in the following manner: For starting the electric lamp the handle-switch 17 is turned from the contact-segment 18 to the other, 20, when the current will pass through the line 1 6, the switch 17, the line 26, the coils 28 28, the line 27, the heating-coil 24, the line 25, and return through the pole 12, the line 22, the resistance 23, and the line 21 to the source of electricity. Then the heating-coil 24 will be heated, and thereby also the mercury in the chamber 10. At the same time the electromagnct of the relay 29 is energized to attract the armature 31), whereby thebranch line 31 is connected with the line 26. This, however, will have no consequence as long as thetwo mercury electrodes do not come into contact with each. other. The vapor developed from the mercury in the upper part of the chambcn 10 will force the column of mercury upward through the arc-light tube 7 until the two electrodes touch each other, when the current will pass from the contact 34 through the armature 30, the post 32, the line 31, the contact-segment 18, the line 19, the pole 11., and the mercury to the other pole 12, whereby the shunt-line 28 28, 27, 24, and is short-circuited. In. consequence of this the electromagnet of the relay 29 will be without current and release its armature 30, which in turn breaks the circuit, so that no current at all will circulate. For this reason it is necessary to reverse the handle-switch 17 the moment the two mercury electrodes touch each other, when the current will henceforth circulate and produce the arc-light as soon as the two mercury electrodes are detached, owing to the condensation of the mercury-vapor in the upper part of the chamber 10. Should from any reason the lamp be extinguished, it is impossible to again light it unless the handle-switch 17 is turned on the contact-segment 20, when the whole series of occurrences described above will repeat. It is this fact which renders the new system safe and suitable for starting the vapor electric lamp. It is ofim )ortanee that in this system each closing an( breaking of the current can only take place either at the handle-switch 17 or in the lamp itself, so that the relay 29 may be very simple in construction. Where it is from any reason desired to dispense with the secondary circuit, the handle-switch 17 may be replaced by an ordinary cut-out, in which case the armature of the relay should be brought by hand into contact with the stationary contact 34.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a lamp, the combination with a stationary closed containing vessel, of normally separated and relatively movable electrodes able electrodes therein, a source of electrical therein, a source of electrical supply, means for bringing said electrodes into contact, and common means for connecting said source across said electrodes and causing the operation of said means for bringing said electrodes into contact, substantially as described.

2. In a'lamp, the combination with a stationary closed containing vessel, of normally separated and relatively movable electrodes therein, a source of electrical supply, electrically-operated means for bringing said electrodes into contact, and common means for connecting said source across said electrodes and causing the operation of said electrically-operated means, substantially as described. g

3. In a lamp, the-combination with a stationary closed containing vessel, of normally separated and relatively movable electrodes therein, one of said electrodes being of liquid, a source of electrical supply, means for moving said 1i uid electrode into contact with the other e ectrode, and common means for connecting said source across said electrodes and causing the operation of said means for moving said liquid electrode, substantially as described.

4. In a lamp, the combination with a sta tionary closed containing vessel, of relatively movable and normally separated electrodes therein, one of said electrodes being of mercury, a source of electrical supply, means for moving said mercury electrode into contact with the other electrode, and common means for connecting said source across said electrodes and causing the operation of said means for moving-said mercury electrode, substantially as described.

5. In a lamp, the combination with a closed containing vessel, of relatively movable electrodes therein, and electrically-operated means for creating pressure within said vessel behind one of said electrodes whereby it is moved into contact with the other electrode, substantially as described.

6. In a lamp, the combination with a closed containing vessel, of relatively movsupply, means for creating pressure within said vessel behind one of said electrodes, whereby it is moved into contact with the other electrode, and common means for connecting said source across said electrodes and causing the operation of said pressure-creating means, substantially as described.

7. In a lamp, the combination with a closed containing vessel, of relatively movable electrodes therein, and means for creating vaporressure within 'said vessel behind one of sai electrodes whereby it is moved into contact with the other electrode, substantially as described. I

8. In a lamp, the combination with a containing vessel, of relatively movable electrodes therein, one of said electrodes being of mercury, a source ofelectrical supply, means for creating pressure behind said mercury electrode, whereby it is moved into contact with the other electrode, and common means for connecting said source across said elec- 7o trodes and causing the operation of said pressure-creating means, substantially as de scribed.

9. In a lamp, the combination with a containing vessel, of relatively movable elec- ,75

trodes therein, one of said electrodes comprising a U-shaped body of mercury, one of the sides of said body being adapted to'contact with the other electrode, and means for.

producing pressure upon the other side of said body, substantially as described.

10. In a lamp, the combination with a containing vessel, of relatively movable electrodes therein, one of said electrodes com prising a U-shaped body of mercury, one of,8 5 the sides of said body bein adapted to contact with the other electrode, and means for producing vapor-pressure upon the other side of said body, substantially as described.

1 1. In a lamp, the combination with a con- 0 taining vessel, of relatively movable electrodes' therein, one of said electrodes comprisin a U-shaped body of mercury, one side of said body being adapted to contact with the other of said electrodes, and means for 5 heating the other side of said body, substantially as described. 12. In a lamp, the combination with a containing vessel, of electrodes therein, one of said electrodes comprising a U-shaped body I00 of mercury, one of the sides of said body being adapted to contact with the other electrode, a coil surrounding the other side of said body and a source of electricity for energizing said coil, substantially as described. IO 5 13. In a lamp, the combination with a tube, of a bulb connected with said tube, electrodes within said tube, one of said elec trodes being of liquid and extending into said bulb and means for creating pressure no within said bulb, substantially as described.

1.4. In a lamp, the combination with a tube, of a bulb connecting with said tube, electrodes within said tube, one of said electrodes being of mercury and extending into said bulb, and means for heating the contents of said bulb, substantially as described.

15. In a lamp, the combination with a tube, of a bulb connecting with said tube, electrodes within said tube, one of said elec- 12o trodes being of mercury and extending into said bulb, and a coil surrounding said bulb and a source of electricity for energizing said coil, substantially as described.

16. In a lamp, the combination with a 12 5 tube, of a bulb connecting with said tube, electrodes within said tube, one of said electrodes being of mercury and extending into said bulb, and means for creating pressure within said bulb, substantially as described.

&

17. In a lamp, the combination with a tube, of a bulb, said tube and bulb being connected together near their lower ends, electrodes within said tube, one of said electrodes being of mercury and extending into said bulb and means for creating pressure within said bulb, substantially as described.

18. In a lamp, the combination with a tube, of a bulb, said tube and bulb being connected together near their lower ends, electrodes within said tube one of said electrodes being of mercury and extending into said bulb, and means for heatingthe contents of said bulb, substantially as described.

19. In a lamp, the combination with a tube, of a bulb, said tube and bulb being connected together near their lower ends, electrodes within said tube, one of said electrodes being of mercury and extending into said bulb, a coil surrounding said bulb, and a source of electricity for energizing said coil, substantially as described.

20. In a lamp, the combination with a vessel, of electrodes therein, means for creating pressure within said vessel behind one of said electrodes whereby said electrodes are brought into contact, and automatic means for cutting out said pressure-creating means when said electrodes come in contact, substantially as described.

21. The combination with a vessel, of rela tively movable electrodes therein, electricallyoperated means for. creating pressure behind one of said electrodes whereby the said electrodes may be brought into contact, a switch adapted to close a circuit about said electrically-operated IIIBHQS through said electrodes, and an electromagnet in series with said electrically operated means for actuating said switch, substantially as described.

22. In a lamp, the combination with a vessel, of electrodes therein, means for creating gaseous pressure within said vessel behind one of said electrodes whereby said electrodes are brought into contact, and automatic means for cutting out said pressurecreating means when said electrodes come in contact, substantially as described.

23. The combination with a vessel, of relatively movable electrodes therein, electricallyoperated means for creating gaseous pressure behind one of said electrodes whereby the said electrodes may be brought into contact, a switch adapted to close a circuit about said electrically-operated means through said electrodes, and an electromagnet in series with said electrically-operated means for actuating said switch, substantially as described.

24. In a lamp, the combin ation with a vessel, of electrodes therein, one of said electrodes being of mercury, electrically-operated means for creating pressure behind said mercury electrode whereby it may be moved into contact with the other electrode, an electric source of supply having one terminal connected to one of said electrodes, a switch for connecting the other of said electrodes to the other terminal of said source, and an. electromagnet connected in, series with said electrically-operated meansbetween the firstmentioned electrode and the first-mentioned terminal of said source, said switch being 0 erated by said electromagnet, substantially as described.

25. In a lamp, the combination with a vessel, of electrodes therein, one of said electrodes being of mercury, electrically-operated means for creating pressure behind said mercury electrode, whereby it is moved into contact with the other electrode, a source of electrical supply, one of the terminals of which is connected to one of said electrodes and to one side of said electrically-operated means, and a switch for alternately connecting the other terminal of said source with the other side of said means and with the other electrode, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

RICHARD KUCH.

Witnesses FRANZ HAssLAonER, ERWIN DIPPEL. 

